Column fixed type machine tool

ABSTRACT

A column fixed type machine tool capable of surely suppressing the dispersion of chips and coolant to the outside of a machining space and reducing the entire size thereof so as to increase a workability and improve a working environment, wherein a column ( 2 ) is installed fixedly on a bed ( 1 ), a spindle head ( 8 ) is installed at the front of the column movably in vertical, lateral and longitudinal directions (f 1,  f 2,  f 3 ), a jig device ( 42 ) is installed on the bed at the front of the column, a column side cover body (cov 1 ) densely covering the front surface of the column is provided so as to protect against the dispersion of chips, the cover body is formed so as to allow the spindle head ( 8 ) to be moved in vertical and lateral directions, a jig side cover body (cov 2 ) covering at least the surrounding of a jig main body part ( 47 ) is installed, an intermediate cover body (cov 3 ) covering the upper and right and left sides of the spindle head moving range is installed between the jig side cover body and the column side cover body, and the sizes of the cover bodies are optimized.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a column fixed type machine toolthat a column is fixed on a bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A column fixed type machine tool is disclosed in JapaneseProvisional Publication No. 365529 of 1992. As shown therein, the columnfixed type machine tool is defined by a column installed fixedly on abed, a spindle head installed at the front of the column movably invertical and lateral directions, and a jig installed on the bed at thefront of the column.

[0003] Generally, this kind of machine tool is provided with a singlesquare cover wall for covering the whole bed positioned at the front ofthe column to prevent the dispersion of chips and coolant.

[0004] In the conventional column fixed type machine tool, the contentvolume of the cover wall is so large that the chips and the coolantdisperse in a wide area. Therefore, it is difficult to recover themsmoothly and rapidly. Besides, the large cover wall prevents variousoperations, and the high cover wall obstructs a view.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a column fixed typemachine tool that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention proposes a column fixed type machine toolthat a column is fixed on a bed, a spindle head is installed at thefront of the column movably in vertical, lateral and longitudinaldirections through the first saddle and the second saddle, a jig deviceis fixed at a limited position of the bed at the front of the column,wherein the first cover plate allowing the spindle head to move in alongitudinal direction is fixed on the front surface of the secondsaddle, the second cover plate covering the front side, the upper sideand the below side of the first cover plate so as to allow the spindlehead to move in a lateral direction is fixed on the first saddle in abody, and a column side cover body covering the front surface of thecolumn so as to allow the spindle head to move in vertical and lateraldirections is provided at the front side of the second cover plate.

[0007] On the other hand, a jig side cover body covering the surroundingof a jig main body part is installed to a jig device. Besides, anintermediate cover body covering the upper and right and left sidesurfaces of the spindle head moving range is installed between the jigside cover body and the column side cover body. Moreover, the columnside cover body, the jig side cover body and the intermediate cover bodyare formed independently each other, and detached separately.

[0008] A cutting tool is installed at the tip of the spindle head.Moving in vertical and lateral directions together with a spindle ormoving in longitudinal direction relatively to a work, the cutting toolcuts the work clamped by the jig device. Though chips generated by thecutting disperse within the jig side cover body, they are prevented fromdispersing to the outside of a specific space surrounded by the jig sidecover body, the intermediate cover body and the column side cover body.The chips fall down on the upper surface of the bed.

[0009] The sizes of the jig side cover body, the intermediate cover bodyand the column side cover body are optimized, respectively.Specifically, the jig side cover body covers the jig device clamping thework so as not to make a useless space. The intermediate cover bodycovers the spindle head moving range in vertical and lateral directionsand in longitudinal direction relatively to the work clamped by the jigmain body part so as not to make the useless space. The column sidecover body is formed so that the chips dispersed from the cutting toolare prevented from dispersing to the backside of the front surface ofthe column.

[0010] The above invention is defined as follows.

[0011] The above invention is materialized as follows. That is to say,as shown in claim 2, heights of the column side cover body, theintermediate cover body and the jig side cover body are different fromeach other. In this case, the column side cover plate is the highest andthe intermediate cover body is the lowest of all. Hence, as shown inclaim 3, an exhaust duct is installed on the upper surface of the lowestintermediate cover body.

[0012] Besides, as shown in claim 4, a dropping hole for exhaustingchips is provided to the bed part positioned below the intermediatecover body. Hence, the chips dispersed from the cutting tool areintercepted by the jig side cover body, the intermediate cover body andthe column side cover body, thereafter reaching a specific place throughthe dropping hole by gravitation.

[0013] Moreover, as shown in claim 5, a chips exhausting device isprovided below the dropping hole. In this case, the chips droppedtherefrom put on a carrier surface of the chips exhausting device andare taken out to the specific place without a person's help.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a machine tool(machining center) relating to the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a front view thereof,

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view thereof and

[0017]FIG. 4 is a plane view thereof.

[0018]FIG. 5 shows a part of the machine tool, FIG. 5A is a perspectiveview of the first saddle and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the secondsaddle.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the machine tool provided with acolumn side cover body.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows the circumference of the first cover plate, FIG. 7Ais a plane view, FIG. 7B is a side view and FIG. 7C is a sectional viewtaken on the line X-X of FIG. 7A.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cross side of the first coverplate.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the machine tool provided with thesecond cover plate.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the machine tool provided withthe third cover plate.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the machine tool broken away thethird cover plate and so on.

[0025]FIG. 12 shows the operating situation of the right side part ofthe column of the machine tool viewed from the upside. FIG. 12A is aview of the first cover plate positioned at right end of its movingrange, and FIG. 12B is a view of the first cover plate positioned atleft end thereof.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the machine tool having a jigdevice.

[0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the machine tool providing with acover body on the jig device and so on.

[0028]FIG. 15 is a plane view of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a front viewthereof. FIG. 17 is a side view thereof.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a machine tool comprising a bed 1, a column 2,the first saddle 4, the second saddle 6 and a spindle head 8. The bed 1forms the lowest part. The column 2 is installed fixedly on the uppersurface of the bed 1. The first saddle 4 is guided slidably in verticaldirection f1 by a pair of vertical guide rails 3, 3 installed fixedly onthe front surface of the column 2. The second saddle 6 is guidedslidably in lateral direction f2 by a pair of lateral rail members 5, 5installed fixedly on the front surface of the saddle 4. The spindle head8 is guided slidably in longitudinal direction f3 by a pair oflongitudinal rail members 7, 7 installed fixedly on the second saddle 6.

[0030] Each structure of these components is explained as follows.

[0031] The bed 1 is formed in a box shape with a steel plate. Supportingmembers 9, 9 are fixed on the upper surface of the bed 1 at the front ofthe column 2. A dropping hole 10 is formed at the center of the bed 1 todrop chips and coolant on a specific place.

[0032] The column 2 comprises a pair of right and left vertical parts 2a, 2 a and a pair of top and bottom lateral parts 2 b, 2 b. Hence, thecolumn 2 is mainly composed of a square frame body having a comparativelarge longitudinal square hole “a” to the center. A motor table 2 d isprovided to the top lateral part 2 b. A servomotor 11 is fixed on themotor table 2 d to drive the first saddle 4 vertically.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5A, the first saddle 4 comprises a pair of rightand left vertical single prismatic bodies 4 a, 4 a having a squaresection and a pair of top and bottom lateral single prismatic bodies 4b, 4 c. Hence, the first saddle 4 has a comparative large longitudinalsquare hole “b” to the center, and is formed into a large verticalsquare frame body made from a steel plate in the size that it gets intothe front surface of the column 2. Interfitted members 12 are fixed onthe back surface of the square frame body so as to be guided by the railmembers 3, 3. A pair of rail members 5, 5 are fixed on the front surfaceof the top and bottom lateral prismatic bodies 4 b, 4 c to guide thesecond saddle 6. A bracket 13 having an inverse U letter section at thefront sight is fixed on the back surface of the top lateral prismaticbody 4 b, and a nut body 14 is fixed on the top of the bracket 13. Inthis case, the single prismatic bodies 4 a, 4 b, 4 c may be formedintegrally by plural prismatic members having a square section.

[0034] A vertical thread axis 15 is screwed into the nut body 14 so asto combine to an output axis of the servomotor 11. A servomotor 16 isinstalled on the upper surface of the top lateral prismatic body 4 b todrive the second saddle 6 laterally. Besides, as shown in FIG. 5A, apair of reinforcing plates 17, 17 are installed fixedly on the uppersurface of the lateral prismatic body 4 b. On the reinforcing plates 17,17, bearing members 19 a, 19 b are fixed to support rotatively a lateralthread axis 18 combined to an output axis of the servomotor 16.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5B, the second saddle 6 has a longitudinalsquare hole “c” to the center, which is formed in the size that thespindle head 8 is inserted. The second saddle 6 is formed into a largevertical square frame body 6 a in the size that it gets into the frontsurface of the first saddle 4. A pair of right and left horizontalinduction frames 6 b, 6 b comprised of square cylinder members made froma steel plate are fixed longitudinally to the back surface of the squareframe body 6 a. And plural interfitted members 20 guided by the railmembers 5, 5 are fixed thereon. Besides, a longitudinal rail member 7 isinstalled fixedly on the upper surface of each horizontal inductionframe 6 b. A horizontal steel plate 21 combines between side surfaces ofthe horizontal induction frames 6 b, 6 b.

[0036] A bulging member 23 is installed on one side of the upper surfaceof a top lateral prismatic body 22 of the square frame body 6 a towardslanting back upper part. And an open ring-shape nut holding member 24is fixed on the tip of the bulging member 23. The lateral thread axis 18is screwed into a nut body 25 held by the nut holding member 24.Besides, a vertical support plate 26 is fixed between back ends of thehorizontal induction frames 6 b, 6 b. And a servomotor 27 is fixed onthe back surface of the support plate 26 to move the spindle head 8 inlongitudinal direction f3.

[0037] The spindle head 8 has a head frame 29 to support a longitudinalspindle 28 rotatively. In the head frame 29, a not-illustrated drivemotor is installed to rotate the spindle 28. And to the bottom surfaceof the head frame 29, plural interfitted members 30 guided by the railmembers are provided.

[0038] A not-illustrated screw-nut structure is formed between the headframe 29 and the servomotor 27, so that the head frame 29 is moved byrotations of the servomotor 27 longitudinally.

[0039] In the fundamental structure of the above-mentioned machine tool,a column side cover body cov1 of FIG. 10, which covers the front surfaceof the column 2, is optimized and installed so as not to make a uselessspace. The concrete structure is explained with reference FIGS. 6 to 11.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the first cover plate 31 is fixed on thefront surface of the second saddle 6 so as to cover the whole mostly. Athrough hole 8 a is formed to the center of the first cover plate 31 soas to be inserted the spindle head 8 movably in longitudinal direction.Besides, a sealing means 32 is fixed to the inner circumference of thethrough hole 8 a so as to seal an interval of the through hole 8 a andthe spindle head 8 liquid-tightly. For example, a flexible band rubberbody is used as the sealing means 32.

[0041] Side cover plates 33 are installed connectively to right and leftedges of the first cover plate 31 bendably backward. Here, they are bentby guiding means 34 provided between the first saddle 4 and the sidecover plates 33. In detail, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each side coverplates 33 is installed rockably on each edge of the first cover plate 31with hinge couplings 35. And each guiding means 34 is formed so as tocorrespond to each side cover plate 33. The guiding means 34 comprises aguiding mechanism formed in the top and bottom sides of the side coverplate 33. For example, the guiding mechanism is composed as follows.Guiding plates 36 in a hook-shape at the front sight are fixed on endsof the first saddle 4, and rollers 37 installed protrusively to the topand bottom edges of each side cover plate 33 are inserted into quartercircular guiding paths 36 a thereof, correspondingly. Besides, a spring38 of an energizing means is extensively hanged between a place near thecenter of curvature of each quarter circular guiding path 36 a and aplace near each pin body 37. And each side cover plate 33 is pulledbackward by an energizing force due to the springs 38.

[0042] Besides, as shown in FIG. 9, the second cover plate 39 thatcovers the front, top and bottom sides of the first cover plate 31 isfixed integrally with the first saddle 4 with combining members 40.Here, the second cover plate 39 has a square through hole 39 a to allowthe spindle head 8 to move laterally.

[0043] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the third cover plate 41in an angular C letter shape at the plane sight is fixed on the frontside of the second cover plate 39 integrally with the column 2. In thiscase, the third cover plate 41 has a square through hole 41 a to allowthe spindle head 8 to move vertically and laterally.

[0044] The column side cover body is explained about an action asfollows.

[0045] When the servomotor 11 rotates, the first saddle 4 and thespindle head 8 are moved in vertical direction f1. In this case, thefirst cover plate 31, the side cover plates 33 and the second coverplate 39 are vertically moved integrally with the first saddle 4. Thoughthe third cover plate 41 is fixed on the column 2 so as not to movevertically, the through hole 41 a allows the spindle head 8 to movevertically. During this vertical movement, a longitudinal space due tothe through hole 39 a is intercepted by the first cover plate 31 and theside cover plates 33. Besides, a longitudinal space due to the throughhole 41 a is intercepted by the second cover plate 39, the first coverplate 31 and the side cover plates 33.

[0046] When the servomotor 16 rotates, the second saddle 6 and thespindle head 8 are moved in lateral direction f2. In this case, thefirst cover plate 31 is laterally moved integrally with the secondsaddle 6, and the side cover plates 33, 33 move laterally in connectionwith the lateral movement. Though the second cover plate 39 and thethird cover plate 41 are not laterally moved, the through holes 39 a, 41a allow the spindle head 8 to move laterally, respectively.

[0047] When each side cover plate 33 is laterally moved, each pin body37 is guided by each quarter circular guiding path 36 a and moved.During this movement, the effect on the roller 37 makes each side coverplate 33 rock around each hinge coupling 35 longitudinally.

[0048] For example, when the second saddle 6 is moved to the mostright-hand side, as shown in FIG. 12A, the right side cover plate 33 isrocked to 90° in back of the hinge couple 35 due to an interactionbetween the guiding path 36 a and the pin body 37. Conversely, when thesecond saddle 6 is moved to the most left-hand side, as shown in FIG.12B, the left side cover plate 33 is positioned in the same lateraldirection due to the interaction, and operates so as to intercept thelongitudinal space due to the through hole 39 a. The right side coverplate 33 operates symmetrically to the left side cover plate 33.Therefore, the longitudinal space due to the through hole 39 a is closedby the first cover plate 31 and the side cover plates 33, 33irrespective of the position of the second saddle 6 in lateral directionf2. The longitudinal space due to the through hole 41 a is closed by thesecond cover plate 39, the first cover plate 31 and the side coverplates 33, 33.

[0049] Furthermore, when the servomotor 27 rotates, the spindle head 8is moved in longitudinal direction, and the spindle 28 is moved to anoptional position in triaxial direction. In this case, while the spindlehead 8 moves backward, the sealing means 32 wipes and drops the chipsand the coolant adhered to the circumferential surface of the spindlehead 8. Therefore, the chips and the coolant are prevented from puttingin back of the first cover plate 31.

[0050] Then, while the second saddle 6 moves laterally, the spring 38pulls the pin between the right and left bearing bodies 44 a, 44 brotatively through lateral axes 48 a, 48 b. Here, the jig main body part47 has a work acceptor 45 in U letter shape and a clamping means 46 tofix the work “w” mounted on the work acceptor 45. Besides, a jig drivingpart 49 is installed on the bearing acceptor 44 b, rotating the jig mainbody part 47 around the lateral axes 48 a, 48 b and fixing it at anoptical position.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, a jig side cover body cov2 and anintermediate cover body cov3 are optimized so as not to generate unlessspace and assembled on the upper surface of the bed 1 within the rangefrom the jig device 42 to the front surface of the column 2.

[0052] The jig side cover body cov2 is formed so as to cover the front,right and left and upper surfaces of the jig main body part 47. Anopening 47 a is provided to the front surface wall al so as to depositand draw the work “w” and be closed by a not-illustrated door. The uppersurface wall a2 is formed somewhat higher than the maximum height of therotation locus of the jig main body part 47 around the lateral axes 48a, 48 b. The right and left side surface walls a3, a4 are locatedbetween the right and left side surfaces of the work acceptor 45 and theright and left bearing bodies 44 a, 44 b, respectively. Therefore, evenif the right and left side surface walls a3, a4 are located at theoutside of the right and left side surfaces of the work acceptor 45, nounless spaces are formed inside the jig side cover body cov2. In thiscase, the front surface wall al, the side surface walls a3, a4 are fixedon the bed 1 with bolts. In canceling this bolting, the jig side coverbody cov2 is separated from the bed 1.

[0053] The intermediate cover body cov3 is formed so as to cover theupper and right and left side surfaces within the range from the backend edge of the jig side cover body cov2 to the front surface wall a0 ofthe column side cover body cov1 in an inverse U letter cross section.The upper surface wall b1 is somewhat higher than the maximum height ofvertical moving range of the spindle head 8. The facing distance betweenthe right and left side surface walls b2, b3 is somewhat bigger than thelateral moving and left side surfaces within the range from the back endedge of the jig side cover body cov2 to the front surface wall a0 of thecolumn side cover body cov1. The upper surface wall b1 is somewhathigher than the maximum height of vertical moving range of the spindlehead 8. The facing distance between the right and left side surfacewalls b2, b3 is somewhat bigger than the lateral moving range of thespindle head 8. In this case, the side surface walls b2, b3 are fixed onthe bed 1 with bolts. In canceling this bolting, the intermediate coverbody cov3 is separated from the bed 1.

[0054] Generally, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the jig side cover bodycov2 is higher than the intermediate cover body cov3. In case the bothheights are different like this, a plate member is fixed on a lateralopen surface cl of the higher cover body (which is the jig side coverbody cov2 in drawings). Therefore, a specific space surrounded by thejig side cover body cov2, the intermediate cover body cov3 and thecolumn side cover body cov1 is formed in a machining space closely tothe dispersion of chips and coolant generated during machining the work“w”.

[0055] An exhaust duct 50 is installed on the upper surface of theintermediate cover body cov3. The inside space of the exhaust duct 50communicates with the machining space through an opening c2 formed onthe upper surface of the intermediate cover body cov3, and gas withinthe machining space is guided to some other place.

[0056] A dropping hole d1 is formed below the jig side cover body cov2and the intermediate cover body cov3 to exhaust the chips. A chipsexhausting device 51 is installed just under the dropping hole d1 toreceive and take out the dropped chips to some other place.

[0057] The operation is explained as follows.

[0058] The work “w” fixed on the jig main body part 47 is cut due todisplacement of the spindle 28 in vertical, lateral and longitudinaldirections f1, f2, f3 and rotations of a cutting tool 52 by the drivingmotor. Here, the cutting tool 52 is installed on the tip of the spindle28. Any machining such as coolant, mist or dry machining can perform thecutting.

[0059] During machining of the work “w”, in case of dry machining ormist machining, and the coolant leaving for the column side cover bodycov1 crash into the front surface wall a0 and so on of the third coverplate 41, thereby being prevented from dispersing backward further. Theintercepted chips and coolant leave for the upper surface of the bed 1by gravity and fall down on a carrier surface “e” of the chipsexhausting device 51 through the dropping hole d1. In this case, onlythe chips are left on the upper surface “e” and the coolant falls downmore below. The exhausting device 51 takes out and exhausts the chips tosome other place. On the other hand, the coolant is withdrawn at aspecific place and supplied to cutting place again.

[0060] In detail, some of the chips and the coolant leaving for thecolumn side cover body cov1 pass through the through hole 41 a of thethird cover plate 41. The passed chips and coolant crash into the secondcover plate 39 to be suppressed, or further pass through the throughhole 39 a of the second cover plate 39. The chips and the coolant passedthrough the through hole 39 a crash into the first cover plate 31 andthe side cover plate 33 to be suppressed. Therefore, even if the spindlehead 8 is positioned at an optional place within its moving range, thechips and the coolant are surely suppressed by the first, the second andthe third cover plates 31, 39, 41 and the side cover plates 33. They donot fall directly on the first saddle 4 and the second saddle 6.

[0061] The whole form of the machining space formed by three coverbodies cov1, cov2, cov3 can be miniaturized in comparison with a singlesquare cover body shown in a virtual line in FIG. 13.

[0062] The present invention can give the following effects.

[0063] During cutting of the work, the chips and the coolant dispersedfrom the cutting tool are surely prevented from dispersing to theoutside of the machining space surrounded by the column side cover body,the intermediate cover body and the jig side cover body. Besides, sincethe size of the machining space is optimized to every cover body, thewhole machine tool is miniaturized. Therefore, each part within themachining space can be handled conveniently, thereby increasingworkability. Besides, specially, since the intermediate cover body andthe jig side cover body lower, the work area is exposed to view, therebyimproving a working environment.

[0064] Besides, the column cover body, the intermediate cover body andthe jig side cover body, respectively, can be manufactured independentlyand assembled to the bed. Therefore, the manufacture is made easy andefficient. Besides, since the cover configuration is assembled anddisassembled easily, the machining space can be maintained and inspectedconveniently.

[0065] Moreover, the chips and the coolant generated inside themachining space can be gathered at the specific place through thedropping hole without person's help.

[0066] Furthermore, the chips dropped through the dropping hole can betaken out to the specific place without person's help.

1. (Amended) A column fixed type machine tool comprising; a column 2fixed on a bed 1, a spindle head 8 installed at a front of the column 2movably in vertical and lateral directions f1, f2 and in longitudinaldirection f3 through a first saddle 4 and a second saddle 6, a jigdevice 42 fixed at a limited position of the bed at the front of thecolumn, a first cover plate 31 fixed on a front surface of the secondsaddle 6, said first cover plate 31 allowing the spindle head 8 to movein a longitudinal direction, a second cover plate 39 fixed integrallywith the first saddle 4, said second cover plate 39 covering a frontside, an upper side and a below side of the first cover plate so as toallow the spindle head to move in a lateral direction, a column sidecover body cov1 installed on a front side of the second cover plate 39,said column side cover body covering a front surface of the column so asto allow the spindle head 8 to move in vertical and lateral directions,a jig side cover body cov2 installed on the jig device side, said jigside cover body covering surrounding of a jig main body part 47, anintermediate cover body cov3 installed between the jig side cover bodycov2 and the column side cover body cov1, said intermediate cover bodycov3 covering an upper and right and left side surfaces of a spindlehead 8 moving range, and wherein the column side cover body cov1, thejig side cover body cov2 and the intermediate cover body cov3 are formedindependently each other and attached and detached separately. 2.(Amended) A column fixed type machine tool as claimed in claim 1,wherein heights of the column side cover body cov1, the jig side coverbody cov2 and the intermediate cover body cov3 are different each other,the column side cover body cov1 being the highest and the intermediatecover body cov3 being the lowest.
 3. (Amended) A column fixed typemachine tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intermediate cover bodycov3 is formed into an inverse U letter cross section, and has anexhaust duct 50 on an upper surface thereof.
 4. (Amended) A column fixedtype machine tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a dropping holed1 is formed to the bed positioned below the intermediate cover bodycov3 to exhaust chips.
 5. (Amended) A column fixed type machine tool asclaimed in claim 4, wherein a chips exhausting device 51 is installedbelow the dropping hole d1.